of wind to the embankment across the bay of the New River Estuary.

The damage caused to this embankment throughout the entire suspension cannot be estimated at less than £2000.

With the above allowances in amount for damages, and a reasonable allowance in time for obtaining laborers for their completion, there is no present impediment arising from the state of the works to their completion for the sum, and in the time estimated for these at the date of their suspension.

IX.—ESTIMATED COST OF COMPLETION.

Independently of the works alluded to under heading No. 8, as capable of being executed at little expense when the Railway is opened for traffic, which works, however, cannot be much longer be delayed with safety, 5 miles and 22 chains of the Railway (Contract No. 2) may be considered completed and ready for traffic. The length of 10 miles and 38 chains (Contract No. 1), next spoken of, under that heading, will cost about £7,800 to complete for traffic, which amount includes the repairs for damages by the suspension to this date; the length of 2 miles and 28 chains (Contract 3), connecting with the Invercargill Station, will cost about £3,500 to complete for traffic, which amount includes the repair of damages by the suspension to this date.

To complete at once the works originally proposed to be gradually completed after the opening of the Railway, at comparatively little expense, would cost a further sum of £3,000, and a sum of £6,000 would be a very ample estimate for completed station arrangements at the Bluff and Invercargill.

ROLLING STOCK.

Three locomotives, 8 passenger carriages, 1 break van, with water-tanks, pumps, spare gearing, and turn-tables, with all appliances and tools for repairing the rolling stock, have been provided. Some of these are still held as security for freight not paid, and are not in the present possession of the Provincial Government.

GENERAL SUMMARY.

The permanent way and rolling stock, with appliances and tools, as first ordered, were purchased in England for the sum of £30,093 2s. 0d., free on board ship, my estimate for the same being £29,780 5s. 0d. A further order for rails, estimated at £2,261 0s. 0d., was subsequently sent, and the rails supplied. The charges for commission, freight, and landing charges, &c., &c., have not been dealt with in my office, and no record exists here, therefore, of these items of expenditure.

The Total Payment for Works executed within the Province are as follows:—

PAYMENTS.

Campbelltown Pier ........................ £15,739 15 8
Mokomoko Pier ............................. 22,736 5 4
Shed at Mokomoko ............................ 834 15 0
Account for Landing Materials ............... 143 8 0
Do., chargeable to Ashbury Co. ............... 20 17 3

Total to Pier Contractors ................. £39,475 1 3 I. McKenzie & Co. ... £39,475 1 3

Contract No. 1—Work to Suspension .......... £44,479 8 6 J. R. Davies .......... 44,479 8 6

Contract No. 2 ............................ £38,601 3 9
Recommended by the Consulting Engineer on Accounts referred to him ............................. 567 11 0
Allowed by Provincial Government, difference between cubic and superficial measurement of Timber, as claimed by Contractors .............................. 797 0 0
Allowed by Provincial Government, Compensation ........................................ 4,125 0 0

£44,090 14 9 J. A. Ross & Co. ... 44,090 14 9